Pearl's Pair of Homers Not Enough as Baseball Falls Short at #20 Erskine 8-6

DUE WEST, SC – Bryan Fogle blasted two home runs and drove in four runs to help the 20th ranked Flying Fleet (25-8, 11-4) to an 8-6 victory over Pfeiffer (17-19, 9-7) in the opening game of a Conference Carolinas series Friday afternoon at Grier Field.

Myles Pearl led the game off with a solo home run to put the Falcons up 1-0. Preston Lyon would also hit a home run in the top of the first to extend the lead to two. In the bottom half of the inning, Chas Anthony would reach on a fielder’s choice and the Fogle would launch a 1-2 pitch into the trees in left field to tie the game. Pearl would answer with a two run home run in the second to put Pfeiffer back up 4-2.

Fogle would once again tie the game up with his second two run home run of the game in the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the fourth, Zach McCarthy and Luke Danielewicz both singled and Brandon Garret drew a two out walk to load the bases with the score still tied. Greg Huff would single to center field driving in two and give the Fleet a 6-4 lead.

The Falcons would tie the game in the top of the sixth when Josh Strickland double and scored when Eric Shoemaker reached on an error. Shoemaker would then score on a ground out by Jessie Dunn.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Garret would lead off with a single and then advance to third base on a double down the left field line by Huff. Garrett would then score on a sacrifice fly from Anthony and Huff would later score on a ground out by John Bolding to give Erskine the 8-6 lead. The Fleet brought in Atlee Pearson who pitched the final two innings with out allowing a run and struck out three to get his ninth save of the season.

The Fleet were led at the plate by Fogle who was 2-3 with two home runs and four RBIs, while Huff was 2-3 with a double and two runs driven in. William Buzhardt (8-1) picked up the win allowing six runs (four earned) in seven innings of work and striking out six.

Pearl led the Falcons going 2-5 with two home runs and three RBIs, while Strickland and Will Davis were both 2-4 with a double. Jonathan McDaniel (3-4) took the loss allowing eight runs on nine hits and striking out eight in six innings of work.

The two teams will conclude their series tomorrow with a double header starting at noon.